title: Quantitative computed tomography of the liver in juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).
abstract: Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is a highly sensitive, applicable technique for determining the x-ray attenuation of organs. This technique reveals great precision in the detection of alterations in the x-ray attenuation of hepatic parenchyma, although the lack of studies establishing normal values limits its application in wild animals. The objective of this study was to establish mean hepatic attenuation values in four healthy juvenile sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) using QCT. Helical computed tomography scans were performed and regions of interest selected in the liver after multi-planar reconstruction images were obtained. The mean attenuation value for the hepatic parenchyma in these four turtles was 60.09 +/- 5.3 standard deviation Hounsfield units. Determining normal x-ray attenuation values of the liver increases knowledge of the computed tomographic anatomy of this species and may be useful in the investigation of hepatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, R. Dom Mansel de Medeiros S/N, Recife, 52171-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília de Albuquerque
authors.initials: Mde A
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: Daniel Capucho
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Lorena Adão Vescovi Séllos
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Jannine Garcia
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Forattini
authors.forename: João Luiz Rossi
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.forename: Flaviana Lima Guião
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Fabiano Séllos
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014426:Turtles